OLYMPIA – State fishery managers are easing drought-related fishing restrictions and closures on more than a dozen rivers where conditions have improved.
The changes are effective immediately.
To protect fish, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) previously closed or restricted fishing on more than 60 rivers and streams due to drought-induced low river flows and warm water temperatures.
Conditions in some rivers have returned to normal for this time of year thanks to recent rains and cooler weather, said Ron Warren, WDFW salmon policy lead.
“We’re seeing lower water temperatures and river flows typical for late summer in several rivers around the state,” Warren said. “If those conditions continue, we’ll likely ease restrictions in other rivers in the coming days and weeks.”
Any future changes will be posted on WDFW’s drought webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/drought/. The webpage also contains information on fishing closures or “hoot owl” restrictions – which limit the hours that a river is open to fishing – that remain in place on more than 40 rivers and streams across Washington.
Fishing is open, or no longer restricted to specified hours, on the rivers listed by region below.
Reopening to fishing:
Region 6 – Olympic Peninsula and South Sound
- Quilcene River
- Upper Quileyute River
- Lower Dickey River
- Lower Sol Duc River
- Lower Calawah River
- Lower Bogachiel River
- Lower Clearwater River
- Salmon River
Region 3 – South Central Washington
Hoot owl restrictions lifted on:
- Naches River from Tieton River to Bumping River/Little Naches River
- Rattlesnake Creek
- Yakima River from I-82 at Union Gap to South Cle Elum Bridge
Region 4 – North Puget Sound
Reopening to fishing:
- Lower Nooksack River from Slater Road to Deming
- Lower Skykomish River
- Stilliguamish River from Marine Drive upstream to the North and South forks
Region 5 – Southwest Washington
Hoot-owl restrictions lifted on:
- East Fork Lewis River from Lewisville Park upstream
- Washougal River from Mt. Norway Bridge upstream
Reopening to fishing:
- East Fork Lewis River from Lewisville Park downstream
- Washougal River from Mt. Norway Bridge downstream
Hoot owl restrictions lifted on:
- Nisqually River
More details on the actions taken today can be found on WDFW’s webpage at https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/index.jsp.
The department also has rescinded a moratorium on sturgeon fishing in the Columbia Basin.
In addition, WDFW is easing restrictions on the rivers listed above for suction dredging for gold and mechanical removal of aquatic plants.
